Sindhuli District
Sindhuli District is a district of Bagmati Province in Nepal. The district, with Sindhulimadhi as its headquarters, covers an area of. It is divided into nine local bodies with two municipalities and seven rural municipalities. As per the 2021 [Nepal census|2021 census], Sindhuli district has a population of 300,026.
Sindhuli district is composed of Inner [Terai Valleys of Nepal|Inner Terai] and hilly areas. It is classified as Inner Terai District for administrative purposes. It borders 10 other districts, making it the district that borders the most districts. It borders Koshi Province to the east and Madhesh Province to the south.
The district is famous for the historic Sindhuli Gadhi Fort where troops of British East India Company were defeated by Gorkhali Army in 1767 A.D. The iconic BP Highway passes through this district. Sindhuli is also known for the production of Junar.
According to the former administrative divisions of Nepal, Sindhuli fell under Janakpur Zone in Central Development Region. Sindhuli Gadhi was the headquarter of the district till 1967 A.D.
Etymology
Sindhuli District is named after the Sindhuli Valley. Various accounts are associated with the naming of Sindhuli and there is no definite evidence explaining how the place got its name “Sindhuli ”.- One belief is that the name "Sindhuli" originated from the name of King Sindhul, who ruled this area in ancient times.
- About 11 kilometers from the district headquarter Sindhulimadhi, at an elevation of 1,077 meters above sea level, lies Siddhababa Temple. Sindhuli Valley used to be referred as Siddhasthali, named after this temple. The word “Siddhasthali” later became distorted over time and eventually evolved into “Sindhuli”.
- Before the unification of Nepal, Sindhuli was the part of the Makawanpur Kingdom, which was ruled by kings of the Sen dynasty. Sindhuli Valley was the hunting and fishing area for those rulers and their officials. The fishing was done by creating a small structure in the river, called Duwali. Locally, the fishing Duwali used by the Sen kings used to be referred as Sen Ko Duwali, which meant Sen's Duwali. When spoken quickly, it became Senduwali. Gradually the word got distorted into "Senduli ", and eventually became “Sindhuli.”
- This region has the presence of intense forest. An indigenous group were predominant in this region and their way of living was dependent on agriculture and forest resources. These indigenous people call Singthuwa for cutting down tree and Singthuji for collecting timber. Over time due to gradual deviation in the pronunciation, the region got its name "Sindhuli".
History
Before unification of Nepal
Sindhuli has been the historical and important route linking the Kathmandu Valley with the eastern hills and the southern plains, giving it strategic and economic significance. Local forts and hill strongholds, including Sindhuli Gadhi, were controlled by regional powers and functioned as defensive outposts and transit points for trade and movement. Doyas of Karnat Dynasty in 1244 A.D and Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah, Sultan of Bengal in 1349 A.D, used the route of Sindhuli Gadhi to attack Kathmandu Valley. Prior to unification of Nepal, Sindhuli was the part of Makawanpur Kingdom, ruled by kings of the Sen dynasty.Battle of Sindhuli
The Battle of Sindhuli, fought in 1767 A.D, stands as one of the most important military victories in the history of Nepal. It was a confrontation between the Gorkhali forces, led under the broader unification campaign of King Prithvi Narayan Shah, and the troops of the British East India Company. The battle demonstrated the strength, strategy, and determination of the Gorkhali army and played a crucial role in protecting Nepal’s independence.During the mid-18th century, King Prithvi Narayan Shah was actively working to unify the many small kingdoms of the Himalayan region into a single nation. At the same time, the British East India Company was expanding its influence in the Indian subcontinent. When the King of Kantipur, Jaya Prakash Malla sought British help to counter the Gorkhali advance, a British force under Captain Kinloch was sent toward Kathmandu. To reach the valley, the troops had to pass through the difficult hill region of Sindhuli Gadhi.
The Gorkhali forces took full advantage of the rugged terrain and dense forests of Sindhuli Gadhi. Instead of facing the British in open battle, they used guerrilla warfare tactics—ambushing supply lines, blocking routes, and constantly harassing the advancing troops. The British soldiers, unfamiliar with the landscape and suffering from shortages of food and supplies, became exhausted and demoralized.
Unable to withstand the continuous pressure and harsh conditions, the British troops were forced to retreat. This defeat was significant because it showed that a well-organized local force, using smart strategy and knowledge of the land, could defeat a powerful foreign army. The victory at Sindhuli Gadhi strengthened the Gorkhali position and discouraged further British military involvement in Nepal at that time.
Shah and Rana rule
Following the successful unification of Nepal, Sindhuli was incorporated into the centralized administrative system of the Shah monarchy. During the Rana regime, it was the part of East No. 2 District. The district remained largely rural, with limited infrastructure development and minimal state investment. Governance was exercised through appointed officials, and the local population was primarily engaged in agriculture and subsistence livelihoods.Later period
Sindhuli as a district came into existence in 1962 A.D with Sindhuli Gadhi as its headquarter, when Nepal was divided into 75 districts and 14 zones. On 2 January 1967 A.D, the district headquarter was moved to Sindhulimadhi.During Panchayat era, Sindhuli gradually experienced administrative and social changes. Infrastructure development, including roads and public services, expanded slowly due to the district’s hilly terrain. In the 1990s and 2000s, Sindhuli, like many districts of Nepal, was affected by political movements, including the Maoist insurgency. In recent decades, local governance reforms and development initiatives have contributed to improved connectivity and recognition of the district’s historical heritage, particularly the preservation of Sindhuli Gadhi as a national historical site.
Geography and Climate
Topography
Sindhuli District consists of a diverse landscape that includes the Mahabharat Hills and Chure Hills, with majority of the district lying in Inner Terai region. Forests cover two-thirds of the district's total area.Mahabharat Hills (Lower Himalayan Range) occupy the northern belt of the district. The highest point of the district, Phikkal Peak with an elevation of 2,386 meters above sea level, lies in this region.
The middle section of district is composed of the Inner Terai region. This region includes river valleys and plains such as Sindhuli Valley, Kamala Plain, Marin Plain and Tinpatan Valley Plain. The majority of the district's population reside in this region. The lowest point of the district at an elevation of 168 meters above sea level is in Dudhauli, which lies in this region.
The southern belt is occupied by Chure (Sivalik) Hills. These hills are covered with dense forest and separate the rest of the district from outer Terai.
Rivers
Sindhuli district has a total of 149 large and small rivers. Majority of rivers originate from Mahabharat Hills, with some from Chure Hills. Major rivers include Kamala, Marin, Chadaha, Gwang, Thakur Khola, Kyan Khola and Bitijor Khola.The Sunkoshi River flows along the northern border of the district while the Bagmati River flows along its western border.District Border
Sindhuli borders 10 districts and 2 provinces which are as follows:East: Udayapur and Siraha
West: Rautahat, Makawanpur and Kavrepalanchok
North: Okhaldhunga and Ramechhap
South: Dhanusha, Mahottari and Sarlahi, all of which belong to Madhesh Province
Administration
Sindhuli District is administered from headquarter Sindhulimadhi, Kamalamai. District Administration Office, under Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for administration, as well as maintaining law and order in the district. DAO is headed by Chief District Officer.District Coordination Committee maintains coordination among local bodies, and with provincial and federal government.Sindhuli District Court has jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases within the district. 13 post offices are functioning in the district which comes under the Sindhuli District Post Office with 45900 as its postal code.
Local Bodies
The district consists of nine local bodies, out of which two are Municipalities and seven are Rural Municipalities. These are as follows:Former Village Development Committees
There were total of 55 Village Development Committees in Sindhuli till 1997. After the formation of Kamalamai Municipality in 1997, the number of VDCs got reduced to 53. In 2014, Dudhauli Municipality was formed and the number of VDCs got further reduced to 50. On 10 March 2017, as part of Nepal's restructuring of local bodies, the existing VDCs were abolished and incorporated into Municipalities and Rural Municipalities.Electoral Constituencies
Sindhuli District is divided into two Parliamentary constituencies and four Provincial constituencies.| Parliamentary Constituency | Provincial Constituency | Incorporated Areas | MLA | MP |
| Sindhuli 1 | Sindhuli 1A | Dudhauli and Kamalamai | Matrika Prasad Bhattarai | Shyam Kumar Ghimire |
| Sindhuli 1 | Sindhuli 1B | Tinpatan, Phikkal and Golanjor | Ram Kumar Pahadi | Shyam Kumar Ghimire |
| Sindhuli 2 | Sindhuli 2A | Kamalamai and Sunkoshi | Chhetra Bahadur Bamjan | Lekhnath Dahal |
| Sindhuli 2 | Sindhuli 2B | Marin, Hariharpurgadhi and Ghyanglekh | Ganganarayan Shrestha | Lekhnath Dahal |
Demographics
At the time of the 2021 Nepal census, Sindhuli District had a population of 300,026. 8.04% of the population is under 5 years of age. It has a literacy rate of 72.59% and a sex ratio of 1040 females per 1000 males. 141,223 lived in municipalities.Ethnicity wise: Hill Janajatis were the largest group, making up 57% of the population. Tamangs were the largest Hill Janajatis making 26.7% of population, with Magars being 14.1% of the population. Khas made up 34% of the population.
At the time of the 2021 census, 52.35% of the population spoke Nepali, 25.13% Tamang, 8.11% Magar, 6.61% Danuwar, 2.08% Nepal Bhasha, 1.80% Maithili and 1.10% Sunuwar as their first language. In 2011, 48.1% of the population spoke Nepali as their first language.
Economy
Agriculture is the primary economic activity in the Sindhuli district. Crops like rice, maize, wheat, potatoes, millet as well as seasonal fruits and vegetables are grown in fertile Inner Terai region.Sindhuli is popular for the production of Junar, botanically known as Citrus Sinensis. The district is the leading producer of Junar in Nepal. Because of this, Sindhuli is also known as Junar Ko Jilla. The fruit is cultivated in the Mahabharat Hill Range between the altitude of 800 meters and 1300 meters. Junar farming in Sindhuli provides good source of cash income to farmers.
Apart from agriculture, people are also engaged in livestock farming including poultry and dairy production. A significant number of households are dependent on remittances from abroad.
Tourism is a developing sector in Sindhuli. Natural, cultural and historical attractions draw visitors to the district. In support of tourism, a range of hotels and resorts operate in the district, particularly around urban areas and highways.
Sindhulimadhi serves as the commercial hub of the district. As both the district headquarters and principal market town, it serves as a focal point for business activities and services within the region. Other economic centers include Bhiman, Dudhauli and Khurkot.
Transportation
Regional
Sindhuli District is connected to National Highway Network by three highways: BP Highway, Madan Bhandari Highway and Mid-Hill Highway.BP Highway (NH13), known for its scenic route links the district to National Capital Kathmandu and Terai. Two-thirds of the highway length lies in this district. The road connects headquarter Sindhulimadhi to Mahendra (East-West) Highway (NH 01) at Bardibas, Mahottari and to Araniko Highway (NH 34) at Dhulikhel, Kavre. It runs through the diverse landscape of Chure, Inner Terai, Mahabharat Hills, and Sunkoshi River corridor. The highway passes through major places like Bhiman, Sindhulimadhi, Sindhuli Gadhi, Khurkot and Nepalthok.
The Dharan-Hetauda section of Madan Bhandari (Inner Terai) Highway (NH 9) runs through the Inner Terai areas of Sindhuli. It connects the district to Katari, Udayapur in the east and to Provincial Capital Hetauda in the west. The highway passes through Dudhauli and merges with BP Highway at Bhiman. The highway resumes at Sindhulimadhi and runs westwards towards Hetauda.
Mid-Hill (Pushpalal) Highway (NH03) connects the hilly districts of Koshi Province to BP Highway. It runs through the eastern hilly areas of the district, following the Sunkoshi River, and merges with the BP Highway at Khurkot.
Long-route vehicles operate from Sindhulimadhi to various cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Birgunj and Hetauda. Janakpur Airport is the closest major airport to Sindhuli, situated about 70 km from Sindhulimadhi by road, with regular flights to and from Kathmandu.
Local
Most parts of Sindhuli are accessible by road. While many roads have been paved, some rural roads are still unpaved and can be challenging during monsoon. Buses and vans operate regularly from Sindhulimadhi to various parts of the district. In urban areas, auto rickshaws have become a common mode of transport.Education
Primary and secondary education
Sindhuli district especially Kamalamai Municipality has a good facility of education up to SEE levels. The quality of +2 levels too is fine here. Many private colleges run +2 commerce affiliated to NEB. However, the number of +2 science colleges are very few. Science college like Kamala Higher Secondary School is providing good practical based education to students of Sindhuli. This college has been serving as the central of excellence for all science students throughout Sindhuli Valley. There is also a secondary school for deaf children, where instruction is provided entirely through Nepali Sign Language, including free accommodation.Schools
- Shree Navajyoti Deaf Secondary School, Jasedamar
- Lampantar English Boarding School, Chakmake Bazar, Sindhuli
- Sindhuli Academy
- New English Boarding School
- Kamala Higher Secondary School
- Siddhasthali English Boarding Secondary School
- Shree Jana Jyoti Higher Secondary School
- Bainkateshwor Higher Secondary School
- Gaumati Higher Secondary School
- Barun Devi Higher Secondary School
- Shree Deurali Lower Secondary School
- Shree Bhabishya Nirmata Siddhabba Higher Secondary School
- Kalimati Nimna Secondary School
- Siddhababa English Boarding School
- Scholars Academy
- New Star Academy
- Suryodaya Secondary English Boarding School
- Janata Higher secondary English Boarding School
- Shree Sindhuli Gadhi Public English School
- Sindhuli Vidhyashram Public Educational Trust
- Swiss Sindhuli Secondary English Medium School
- Aadhunik English Boarding School
- Shree Prabhat higher secondary school
- Shree Jana Jagriti HSS, Bhiman
- Shining Moon Academy
- Shree Saraswati Secondary School, Dakaha
- Kamala Academic School, Bhiman
- Shree Kundeshwor Higher Secondary School, Besare Besi
- Shree Marin Academy Boarding School
- Shree Secondary School Kartike, Kapilakot
- Shree Kusheshwor Vidhya Peeth Secondary School, Sunkoshi-1, Dumja, Sindhuli
- Ma.Vi. Lampantar, Tinpatan 11, Lampiantar, Sindhuli
Higher education
There are many colleges which facilitate higher education. There are a large number of colleges running courses with affiliation to universities of Nepal. Colleges like Sindhuli Multiple Campus fall under this category. Kamala Science Campus enables students to acquire Bachelor of Science courses.Colleges
- Kamala Science Campus
- Sindhuli Multiple College
- Siddha Jyoti Siksha College
- Gaumati Multiple College
- Bhim Jyoti Campus
- Marin Multiple College
- Saraswati Campus Dakaha
- Lampantar multiple campus
Technical education
There are also colleges to teach technical education. The technical subjects affiliated with CTEVT like Civil Overseer i.e. Sub Engineer, and Forestry are taught here. The district offers higher education in technical fields like B.Sc.ag and B.Tech. IT .Technical colleges
- College of Natural Resource Management, Marin
- Sindhuli Community Technical Institute
- Kamala Janajyoti Secondary School
- Saraswati Secondary School Dakaha
Places of Attraction
Historic sites
Source:- Sindhuli Gadhi Fort
- Hariharpur Gadhi Fort
Religious sites
Source:- Kamalamai Temple
- Siddhababa Temple
- Kalimai Temple
- Bhadrakali Temple
- Langureshwar-Madhuganga Mahadev Cave
- Kusheshwar Temple
- Panchakanya Pokhari
Notable People
- Chandra Prakash Gajurel a.k.a. CP Gajurel - Politician
- Haribol Prasad Gajurel - Politician, Former Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development
- Krishna Prasad Koirala - Founder of politically prominent Koirala family, Father of Matrika, BP and Girija Prasad Koirala
- Prof. Dr. Krishnahari Baral - Lyricist, Poet and Professor at Tribhuvan University
- Bhojraj Kafle - Lyricist and Singer